Outside The Box ( 2024 )
Directed: Jordan Low & Ricky Gupta
Starring: Bo Hong Fu, Grace Gao, Miguel Yabut, Cheryl Rolin-Gilman & Aisha Adebayo
Project: Passion Project
Executive Produced: Talent Houz, Dato Low Boon An, Christal Aurora, Nick Aurora & Low Wei Sheng
Gaffer: Aisha Henry Assistant Camera: LJ Kemsy Pacheco Sound: Julia Van Damme Production Design: Ayse Rana Sermet Script Supervisor: John Bao Photographer: Anton Canoan
Xing, a young artist struggles to balance his passion for art with the expectations imposed on him by his single mother. Personal aspirations and family are put into question when despite her disapproval, Xing participates in an art contest in an attempt to change his mother's mind.
Now Playing, 25 min 10s, Family/Coming of Age/Drama
Outside The Box is a short film passion project by me and my friend, Ricky Gupta. During the last semester of business school, we planned our short film with little intention to bring it to life, but as we drafted the script we quickly realized that it was a story we wanted to tell. Our work aims to challenge societal norms, and advocate for the recognition and support of emerging artists who navigate the tension between passion and familial expectations. Together, we aim to put a lighthearted yet eye-opening spin on the struggles and aspirations of artistic youth.
Enjoy "Outside the Box," - our take on a story that is all-too familiar.
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Outside The Box Private Premiere 2024
Festivals
Outside The Box Fall Premiere 2024
Kingston, Ontario
Awards
CAST
BO HONG FU
as Xing
GRACE GAO
as Xing's Mom
as Tyler
MIGUEL YABUT
Bo Hong Fu is a Chinese-Canadian actor and musician best known for his role as "Gang Kid" in Hulu’s Davey & Jonesie's Locker (2024). His portrayal of "Brian" in Bake Sale earned him Best Acting at the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival. Other credits include Drama Boy (as Henry Chu) and CBC Gem's Run the Burbs (as "Gum Boy" ). Bo studied drama at the University of Toronto, focusing on performance and directing, and holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and economics.
Grace H Gao is a Chinese-Canadian actress from Chongqing, based in Toronto. Known for her powerful performances as a mother, she trained under Brad Milne. Grace’s notable credits include portraying Ms. Chu in Drama Boy. Her emotional depth and impactful talent earned her the Best Actress award at the 2023/2024 International Motion Pictures Award (IMPA) for her role as Xing's Mom in Outside the Box.
Miguel Yabut is a Filipino-Canadian actor and internet personality based in Toronto, ON. A graduate of Alza Acting Studio, Miguel recently starred as Tyler in the award-winning short film Outside the Box and has worked as a background actor on shows like Pachinko and How to Die Alone. Known for his natural charisma and intensity, his background in sports—including football, rugby, MMA, and boxing—adds physicality and discipline to his acting. He also runs a vlog channel, Big Migs, on YouTube.
AISHA ADEBAYO
CHERYL ROLIN-GILMAN
as the Emcee
as Ms Cormack
Aisha Adebayo is a Black-Canadian Actress based in Toronto, Ontario. She is known for her appearance as " Emcee " in Outside The Box.
Cheryl Rolin-Gilman is a Toronto-born actress with a background in nursing. She studied nursing at the University of Toronto, earning both a BScN and an MN. After working as a registered nurse for 41 years, with leadership roles in mental health and addictions, Cheryl retired in 2018 and pursued acting.
Cheryl's notable acting credits include appearances in I Accidentally Married a Billionaire, My Haunted Hometown, and Cochlear.
